The Best Blind Date In Texas

“It’s getting more sophisticated, but with computers and the Internet, more violations are occurring via online theft than through listening devices.”

“Hmm.” She paused as she looked at the fading sunset. “Still, doesn’t it worry you that your products will enable some criminals to steal secrets?”

“No more than if I made modems that allowed some hacker to access the Internet,” he answered, negotiating a series of turns as they traveled north through the rolling hills. “I’m not trying to justify what I do, because I don’t see anything wrong with developing the technology to have an edge over those who would like to harm our country.”

“It’s kind of creepy, though, don’t you think?”

“Not when you invented it,” he said, smiling at her through the gloom of near darkness. “Don’t worry, though. I promise I didn’t plant any bugs in your house, nor will I sit outside in an unmarked van with an earplug and a big antenna.”

“That’s comforting—I think,” she said, partially in jest, he assumed. “So, what brought you to Ranger Springs?”

“Available labor, a good cost of living and quality schools. We’d been in Dallas for several years, but the competition for skilled workers up there is crazy. I decided I could take advantage of the labor market down here and train our employees in the skills they needed. Most of our engineers and research staff relocated after visiting the Hill Country.”

“Did you bring them down to visit when the blue-bonnets and Indian paintbrush were blooming?”

“Of course,” he answered with a grin. Few areas of the world surpassed the beauty of the Texas Hill Country in the spring, when the blue and red flowers dotting the hills resembled an Impressionist’s canvas. When birds soared through the sky and filled the day with song, and the air smelled so fresh and clear a person wanted to join in the singing.

Darkness descended as Gray drove through the rural rolling hills, then into the traffic of Dripping Springs and the outskirts of Austin. Inside the car, he felt isolated from the world, enveloped in the scent of Amy’s light perfume and the softness of her voice. She would have a great bedside manner, he told himself, then stopped his wayward thought. He wasn’t getting anywhere near Amy Wheatley’s bed, nor she near his. One date with any woman was enough. Two and they started expecting commitment. A month, and they were picking out rings.

He wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice, especially now when he had everything he’d worked to achieve.

He knew the hotel where the fund-raiser was taking place, so he pulled into valet parking with time to spare.

“Ready to knock them dead?”

“I’m supposed to save lives, not take them,” she quipped as the attendant opened her car door.

Gray waited until they passed through the glass doors before he leaned close to her ear. “Believe me, you, in that dress, could cause a few heart attacks.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Grayson Phillips, has anyone ever told you you’re a smooth-talking devil?”

How could he answer that question without admitting his greatest strength, and perhaps his biggest weakness? He’d learned at a young age that most people—especially his successful parents—weren’t interested in how he really felt. Outward appearances made all the difference in the world. So he’d learned to become what people expected, and later, what they wanted. Most women wanted a suave, sophisticated date who focused all his attention on them.

So he simply smiled and answered, “That sounds like something your father would say.”

She cocked her head and wrinkled her brow. “You know, you’re right. Maybe there’s more of him in me than I realized.”

“We are a product of our environment,” he said, thinking of his own divorced parents and his ex-wife. What had he learned from those experiences? The notion sobered him, and he put on another smile to cover his darker thoughts.

With a light touch to Amy’s arm, he stopped her in the wide, carpeted hallway leading to the ballroom. “Are you ready?”

“Unless I can pull a good reason out of a hat in the next five seconds.”

“Sorry, but I’m not wearing a hat.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to go in.”

He took a step forward, but her touch on his forearm stopped him. “Gray, I want to thank you again for being my escort this evening. I could have come alone, but my father—”

“Wanted you to have a good time.” Gray smiled, genuinely this time. “I understand.”

He slipped her coat off her shoulders and handed it to the coat-check attendant outside the ballroom door. “You can introduce me to all your colleagues. I promise not to bore them with technical jargon and high-tech market analysis. I’ll try to be on my most charming behavior.”

“Oh,” she said, looking him over in a very feminine manner that made his insides tighten and his chest expand, “I never doubted you for a moment.”

Chapter Two

Despite the tension she’d experienced upon entering the room full of medical professionals from central Texas, Amy had a good time during the dinner dance. The entertainment, a reunited band from the early seventies, had been upbeat and humorous. And the man who’d been beside her all evening had been a major factor in making her relax and enjoy the fund-raiser.

The only truly tense moment she’d experienced was when she and Gray literally bumped into Maryanne and her husband during a rousing Texas two-step. Amy hadn’t seen her former classmate for two years. Their last encounter had been at Maryanne’s society wedding to a middle-aged surgeon, Dr. Paul Bridges. Amy hadn’t wanted to attend, but in the end, the invitation was just too intriguing to pass up.

Sure enough, Maryanne had outdone herself. The event had been spectacular. The bride was stunning in a dress whose cost probably equaled Amy’s entire student loan for medical school. And Maryanne hadn’t gloated too much about achieving everything she’d ever desired. Just a few subtle hints about Amy’s single status and group practice.

She sighed. At least tonight they hadn’t had time to “chat.”

“What’s wrong?” Gray asked as they waited for his car to be brought around.

“Just thinking about old times,” she answered with a smile. “You know how it is when you haven’t seen someone in a while.”

“And she still looks stunning,” he added.

Amy blinked. “Did you think so?”

Gray chuckled. “Yes, but in a rather contrived manner. I doubt that particular shade of blond occurs in nature.” His gaze became more direct, his mood more serious. “She’s not as naturally beautiful as you.”

She felt her cheeks heat and her heart flutter. “Thank you for the kind words, but being outrageous isn’t part of your date duties for the evening.”

“I thought I was being rather sedate in my compliments,” he said as he tipped the parking attendant. “I may be a smooth-talking devil, as you said earlier, but I’m also a man who knows a lovely woman when he sees one.”

She eased inside the car, pulling her coat tight against the chill. “I’m flattered.”

He took her hand and placed a kiss right above her knuckles. His silvery, hooded eyes sparkled in the reflected light of the hotel portico. “I’m glad.”

Amy hadn’t felt this giddy from a man’s attentions in a long, long time. Too long. She simply hadn’t had the time or the inclination to start a meaningful relationship in what seemed like ages.

No wonder she found Gray’s flattery and old-fashioned gallantry so appealing. That, combined with his reputation as the perfect date, was enough to get any woman’s attention.

Gray pulled the Lexus into the crawl of downtown Austin traffic. “The night’s still fairly young. Would you enjoy going to one of my favorite spots for an after-dinner drink and a little light jazz?”

Amy thought about it for a moment. She hadn’t planned on anything other than the fund-raiser, but Gray was right; the clock on the dash read only ten-thirty. It wasn’t like her father was waiting in the doorway, tapping his foot. As a matter of fact, he’d probably be tickled pink if she stayed out half the night!

Besides, Gray had been a gracious and charming date; the least she could do was accompany him to a favorite haunt. She didn’t know how often he traveled the distance from Ranger Springs to Austin for an evening out.

“Sure. That sounds lovely.”

Gray nodded, then guided the car through frequent stops and unending road construction. Amy lost track of where they were heading, letting her head fall back and relax against the cool leather. She could get used to this type of luxury…but not on a small-town doctor’s salary. In another two years, if she was careful, she might upgrade to a small SUV, but not anything this fancy. Mainly, she needed reliable transportation. Her father still believed in making house calls when absolutely necessary.

Strange how different the practice of medicine was here than in Fort Worth. Oh, the ailments would be the same, Amy knew. But the attitude, the atmosphere, couldn’t be more opposite. She welcomed the sense of community and the support of her father to help her make the transition. She only hoped she was up to the task. She was a good doctor; she knew her abilities and training wouldn’t let her down. But would she be accepted on her own, or forever compared to her father?